SRINAGAR: At a private school in Bandipora, students rush out for the much-awaited “games period” only to find themselves without a coach, a structured activity, or even a clear playing space.
The teacher on duty often a substitute from another subject tells them to “play freely.”
Most end up chatting in corners; some sneak out their smartphones.
This scene is not an exception but the norm across most private schools in Kashmir, an investigation by The Independent wire has found.
Despite clear mandates in the J&K School Education Act and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasise holistic development and compulsory physical education, a large number of private schools in the Valley are operating without qualified Physical Education teachers.
The gap is starker against the backdrop of rising smartphone addiction and declining outdoor activity among schoolchildren.
A study by the Government Medical College Srinagar’s Department of Community Medicine found that 94.5 % of parents reported that increased screen time affected children’s physical health, and 94.1 % said it affected their mental health.
The same study noted that 61.6 % of parents believed the increased screen time decreased children’s academic ability “It’s ironic, schools are charging hefty fees but can’t hire a PE teacher,” says Talib Ahmad, who holds a Bachelor’s in Physical Education (B.P.Ed) and has been unemployed for years. “I have applied to over two dozen private schools. They either say there’s no vacancy or that sports is ‘not a priority’. Some schools said one PT teacher for a branch of 600 students is ‘enough’, even if they are just a glorified event coordinator.”
Another female B.P.Ed graduate, requested anonymity shared her experience. “One school principal told me, ‘We have a sports period, but we don’t need a dedicated teacher. The class teacher can manage.’ How can a science or English teacher teach biomechanics, organise athletics, or train in a sport?”
The consequences are not just physical but psychological. “We are seeing more cases of anxiety, attention deficits, and social isolation among children. Structured sports are not just about fitness; they build teamwork, discipline, and resilience. In their absence, screens are filling the void with damaging effects,” said a child psychologist at GMC Srinagar.
While the J&K State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) mandates that every school with sufficient enrollment must have at least one qualified PE instructor, enforcement remains weak. Some school owners, however, cite space and funds as constraints.
“A football or basketball court is a luxury. We try to incorporate basic exercises, yoga, but a full-time PE teacher is not feasible for all,” said the manager of a private school in Bandipora.Parents, meanwhile, are growing anxious.
“My son knows how to use a smartphone better than he knows how to throw a ball. When we ask the school, they say they have sports but it’s just one teacher for 600 kids,” said a parent from one of the prominent school in Bandipora.
Educational experts warn that the gap could have long-term implications. “Sports is not an extra-curricular activity; it is co-curricular. Without it, we are producing academically loaded but physically and emotionally vulnerable youngsters,” said an educationist who has been the head of the department, Faculty of Education at Govt Degree college Bemina.
Hope, however, is not entirely lost. A few schools in Kashmir, including some well-known institutions, have begun integrating structured sports, hiring qualified coaches, and even tying up with local clubs for training in football, basketball, and martial arts. But these remain exceptions.
Until systemic enforcement follows policy intent, for most children in Kashmir’s private schools, a games period will remain just a break not a building block for life.
The Independent wire made multiple attempts to seek comments from the Director of School Education Kashmir regarding the absence of sports teachers in private schools and any proposed plans to ensure compliance with physical education mandates. However, he was not available for comment. This copy will be updated if and when a response is received from the DSEK office.
